Session R2B San Juan, PR July 23 – 28, 2006 9 th International Conference on Engineering Education R2B-1 Special Session - Iberoamerican Science Technology and Education Consortium (ISTEC) Health Wilfrido Moreno Associate Professor at the University of South Florida and Director of the R&D Initiative of the Iberoamerican Science Technology and Education Consortium (ISTEC), 4202 East Fowler Avenue, ENB 118, Tampa, FL 33620 moreno@eng.usf.edu Ramiro Jordan 1 , Carlos Callegari 2 , Balaji Ramadoss 3 , Dale C. Alverson 4 and Jorge Garcia 5 1 Ramiro Jordan, Associate Professor at the ECE department at the University of New Mexico (UNM), US, & VIP of Strategy and Planning of ISTEC, rjordan@istec.org 2 Carlos Callegari, Professor, CETICEA, CIMBUC -FCS Universidad de Carabobo, Venezuela, (Liaison Coordinator of ISTEC-SALUD) callegari@cantv.net 3 Balaji Ramadosos, Graduate Student and Coordinator of Education and Training, FCPHP, College of Public Health, USF, bramados@eng.usf.edu 4 Dale C. Alverson, Professor: Pediatrics Neonatology Division and Professor: Obstetrics Gynecology OB GYN and ISTEC, UNM, New Mexico 87131 DAlverson@salud.unm.edu 5 Jorge Garcia, Graduate Student at the Community and Planning Department at the University of New Mexico (UNM) & Program Manager ISTEC jgarcia@istec.org Abstract - Continued advances in information technologies, computing and communication systems are enabling improved access to healthcare information, health services, research and education independent of distance. Combined they constitute the concept of Telehealth and are allowing enhanced means of sharing knowledge and expertise, “leap-fogging” over the barriers of distance and time. Global development and integration of communication systems such as Internet2 are creating opportunities for international collaboration using Telehealth as a platform for information and technology exchange with the potential to create a true “network of networks” and a “virtual collaborative model” that can be used world-wide. The Center for Telehealth and Cybermedicine Research, along with the Ibero American Science and Technology Education Consortium (ISTEC), both based at the University of New Mexico (UNM) have been working with other Latin American organizations and universities to develop an international network for cooperative exchange that is complimented through the use of Telehealth technologies. Index Terms – Cybernedicine, Healthcare, Internet2, ISTEC, Telehealth, TeleSalud, Virtual collaborative models. INTRODUCTION Facing growing cases of chronic illnesses amid continuing nursing shortages, the health care industry is increasingly turning to telemedicine devices to keep tabs on patients. More than half of the 8,000 home care agencies in the U.S. that provide services to Medicare patients now use some form of remote monitoring. Sales of devices and digital services for home monitoring are projected to grow from $461 million in 2005 to over $2.5 billion in 2010 [1]. Agencies that don’t handle Medicare patients and tend to handle less complex illnesses are now deploying telemonitoring as well. Most patients get the equipment through a home care agency, though some insurers and hospitals also provide devices for their patients. Low cost computing and ability to integrate technology with other non-traditional modes of delivery has changed the way business is done in almost every aspect of the modern world. From educational systems such as Learning Management Systems (LMS) to the most advanced supply chain management applications, system integration of multiple platforms is becoming a norm for successful business models. Since the late 1990 health care providers have focused on automating and integrating care delivery systems. This triggered integration of different IT systems of hospitals clinics. This triggered a massive effort to develop a system that can be compatible for data sharing and cross platform functions. Varying from a simple data warehousing to advanced e-diagnostics an integrated health care system will enable changes cost effective solutions and smooth exchange of information. ISTEC conceives plans and executes activities related to higher education, research and development and technology transfer. ISTEC’s purpose is the facilitation of scientific and technical progress in the Ibero-American countries. ISTEC participants encourage the free flow and access of information in the pursuit of technical excellence. Through the activity of coordinating eminent personnel and resources from diverse geographical locations ISTEC has developed a mechanism called the Initiative, which is an organized effort to create activities and programs that addresses specific areas of concern. The Initiatives are member-driven, flexible, and run concurrently. Within initiatives, projects are identified, planned and implemented. The projects emanate from a distributed structure, which avoids duplication of efforts and inherently responds to the needs of the ISTEC membership.